Aconitum lycoctonum
Wolfsbane
a perennial member of the Aconitum genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aconitum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1][6].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
There is a report that this root has been boiled and used for food in Lapland[11]. However, this is a very poisonous plant and such a use is very inadvisable[K]. There are no edible uses listed for Aconitum lycoctonum.
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is alterative, anaesthetic, antiarthritic, antitussive, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and stimulant[4]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Anaesthetic
- Product or use
- Antiarthritic
- Product or use
- Antitussive
- Product or use
- Deobstruent
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Stimulant
Environment
- Range
- Europe to W. Asia.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division - best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn[1][2]. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade[6]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands[1][8]. If the flower stems are removed after flowering the plant will normally flower again later in the season[6]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[10]. A polymorphic species[1]. The nomenclature is very confused for this species, A. lycoctonum. L. is treated as A. septentrionale by many botanists whilst A. lycoctonum. Auct. is A. vulparia[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)